Migraines are a real neurologic disorder, causing changes in chemicals and blood flow in the brain. They can be incredibly debilitating, affecting productivity and even causing temporary neurologic symptoms like motor weakness, vision changes, confusion, difficulty speaking, and even unstable walking. If they occur frequently, they can cause changes in MRI appearance.
One thing migraines do not cause: an increased risk of Parkinson’s Disease (PD). A recent study published in Neurology followed almost 40,000 women over age 45 for nearly 40 years. Migraines were present in 18.6% of the women, consistent with the frequency reported in the literature. Of the 40,000 followed, about 700 women (1.75%) received a diagnosis of PD. This is also consistent with that reported in the literature.
Interestingly, women are 3 times more likely to suffer from migraines than men while men are 1.5 times more likely to develop PD.
The good news is that migraine sufferers do not have a higher risk of developing PD. However, they are as likely as anyone in the general population to develop PD and may end up suffering from both, without a causal effect. If you believe that you may be experiencing neurologic symptoms, like tremor, memory loss, motor weakness, vision changes or walking problems, all of which can occur with different neurologic disorders, the BeCare Neuro App can help you screen for abnormalities on your exam by playing engaging games on your phone. Let BeCare Link help you either get the reassurance you need or the guidance to seek further evaluation by your doctor.